PER ASPERA AD ASTRA Through the thorns to the stars
Natasha Hull chronicles and photographs the years of the Russian Underground Rock scene from the 70s and 80s in St Petersburg. Rock music (officially banned by the authorities) became an expression of disent and opposition to the government. This collection of writings and images show the people, attitudes and events behind the official Soviet mask of indestructible power, including some of Russia's greatest rock stars.
Reviews: Mojo Article Birmingham Post BBC (in Russian)
The author: Natasha Hull
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MAXIM AND FYODOR
The book is written in 1980, when the author was working in the boiler room, like many other "unsanctioned" artists and writers in the pre-perestroika era. It describes in a very untraditional manner everyday life of ordinary young Russians, their misery and victories, their spiritual search for truth and horrible hangovers. The readers copied it with the risk for their freedom (up to eight years in jail) on the typewriters, before it was published officially in the beginning of the 90-s, when it immediately became a bestseller. "Maxim and Fyodor" helped an entire generation of young Russians to discover their real identity. In the oppressed environment of the late Communist State it had a message of truth and hope.
Reviews: Telegraph Wiplash TheGuide BRR Movie: Book launch

MONDAY STARTS ON SATURDAY
A. and B. Strugatsky are by far the most famous Russian writers of science fiction. Their work influenced several generations of young Russians, opening up new horizons of intellectual freedom, combined with endless fun. "Monday Starts on Saturday", the Russian equivalent of "Harry Potter", was written 40 years earlier, and the whole business of dealing with magic happens in a scientific research facility rather than in the school.
The main characters are young adults rather than school kids, but that doesn't make it any less funny!

Reviews: SFX Magazine Alien Online

The author: Arkady and Boris Strugatsky
The translator: Andrew Bromfield
More illustrations by Evgeny Migunov